Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-URB-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

390 µS/cm

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

At the Perisher sites, where peak EC levels reached 390 µS/cm, the researchers observed a clear and statistically significant negative biological response.

Metric Definition:

Peak Electrical Conductivity (EC) level associated with significant negative biological response.

Benchmark Definition:

Biologically observed upper detrimental threshold for EC.

Justification:

Direct biological observation links this EC level to loss of sensitive macroinvertebrate species.

Sources (1)

Preview of Impacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).

Impacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Streams

Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

Preview of Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed August 28, 2025,

Caring for our Australian Alps Catchments, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Patterns of variation in Australian alpine soils and their relationships to parent material, vegetation formation, climate and t, accessed May 27, 2025

Preview of Chapter 2 - Parliament of Australia, accessed August 28, 2025,

Chapter 2 - Parliament of Australia, accessed August 28, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Chapter 2 - Parliament of Australia, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Cutting down on salt - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, accessed August 28, 2025,

Cutting down on salt - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Cutting down on salt - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - CSIRO Publishing

Preview of Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - La Trobe University, accessed August 28, 2025,

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - La Trobe University, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - La Trobe University, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Environmental Impacts of Tourism on the Australian Alps Protected Areas - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

Environmental Impacts of Tourism on the Australian Alps Protected Areas - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Impacts of Tourism on the Australian Alps Protected Areas - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Impacts of urbanisation on hydrological and water quality dynamics, and urban water management: a review - Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange, accessed August 28, 2025,

Impacts of urbanisation on hydrological and water quality dynamics, and urban water management: a review - Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support

Impacts of urbanisation on hydrological and water quality dynamics, and urban water management: a review - Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Issues affecting water quality, accessed August 28, 2025,

Issues affecting water quality, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Issues affecting water quality, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Regulatory Framework

Using the ANZECC Guidelines and Water Quality Objectives in NSW

Preview of Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps, accessed August 17, 2025,

Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Assessment of the Values of Kosciuszko National Park (Chapter 8)

Preview of The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ..., accessed August 17, 2025,

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ..., accessed August 17, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas, accessed on May 29, 2025

Preview of The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal

Direct Evidence Journal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal

Preview of The impact of urban footprint on water quality - Analysis & Policy Observatory, accessed August 28, 2025,

The impact of urban footprint on water quality - Analysis & Policy Observatory, accessed August 28, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The impact of urban footprint on water quality - Analysis & Policy Observatory, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of water catchment - Australian Alps National Parks, accessed August 17, 2025,

water catchment - Australian Alps National Parks, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

soils - of the australian alps - Australian Alps National Parks, accessed August 3, 2025

Preview of Water Chemistry and Aquatic Ecology study on the effects of waste water discharges from Springvale and Angus Place Collieries on - Environmental Justice Australia, accessed August 17, 2025,

Water Chemistry and Aquatic Ecology study on the effects of waste water discharges from Springvale and Angus Place Collieries on - Environmental Justice Australia, accessed August 17, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Water Chemistry and Aquatic Ecology study on the effects of waste water discharges from Springvale and Angus Place Collieries on - Environmental Justice Australia, accessed August 28, 2025,

Preview of Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 12, 2025

Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Impact of mitigated forestry activities on turbidity: assessing ...

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Urban & Developed Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 3
Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold is supported by field-based biological assessments indicating significant ecological harm. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-URB-WEC family.